Story photos

The cow dung cakes are left to dry for use as fuel in winter at a house in Anmu. Anmu is a village on the way to the Phuktal monastery just after the end of the motor-able road. While crossing through Anmu, a family invited us over for tea. Read the full story of our visit to Phuktal monastery at Trek to Phuktal Monastery

Zanskar is probably the most isolated valley in India and Phuktal is the remotest part of Zanskar. This was the landscape en route Phuktal monastery. Read the full story of our visitto Phuktal monastery at Trek to Phuktal Monastery

Trek to Phuktal monastery, Zanskar, India

Zanskar is probably the most isolated valley in India and Phuktal is the remotest part of Zanskar. This was the landscape en route Phuktal monastery. Read the full story of our visitto Phuktal monastery at Trek to Phuktal Monastery

Zanskar is probably the most isolated valley in India and Phuktal is the remotest part of Zanskar. This was the landscape en route Phuktal monastery. Read the full story of our visitto Phuktal monastery at Trek to Phuktal Monastery

These rocks are an important feature of Tibetan Buddhism. They are a work of art and reflect the colours of the mountains found in these regions. We found many of these around Phuktal monastery, the remotest monastery of Zanskar, hidden in a cave. Read the full story of our visitto Phuktal monastery at Trek to Phuktal Monastery

Zanskar is probably the most isolated valley in India and Phuktal is the remotest part of Zanskar. This was the landscape en route Phuktal monastery. Read the full story of our visitto Phuktal monastery at Trek to Phuktal Monastery

After the long, breath taking (as well as breathless making) walk up at around 4200 meters, we were finally at the Phuktal monastery - on a mountain top hidden in a cave.
Read the full story of our visit to Phuktal monastery at Trek to Phuktal Monastery

The Phuktal monastery is the epitome of monks living high up in the mountains, detached from the rest of the world. We reached the monastery at lunch time and had lunch with the monks there. Read the full story of our visit to Phuktal monastery at Trek to Phuktal Monastery

Little boys training to be monks wait for lunch to be served at Phuktal monastery.
Take their maroon robes away and they could pass off as kids in a playground.
But unlike other kids, the to-be monks live their lives in isolation, studying ancient scriptures in the highly remote monastery.
Read the full story of our visit to Phuktal monastery at Trek to Phuktal Monastery

Lunch of the monks at Phuktal monastery, Zanskar, India

We reached the monastery at lunch time and had the same food as the monks. It was simple, mostly boiled, healthy food.
Read the full story of our visit to Phuktal monastery at Trek to Phuktal Monastery

The Phuktal monastery is the epitome of monks living high up in the mountains, detached from the rest of the world. We reached the monastery at lunch time and this was the view for lunch!
Read the full story of our visit to Phuktal monastery at Trek to Phuktal Monastery

It was break time at the monastery for these youngsters. Their energy was un-missable. Take their maroon robes away, dress them up in clothes for “young adults” and they could pass off as school children in a playground..
Except, that, they WERE in their maroon robes, attended the monk school in the monastery, studied ancient scriptures and would go on to live their lives devoid of all worldly possessions!
Read the full story of our visit to Phuktal monastery at Trek to Phuktal Monastery

It was break time at the monastery for these youngsters. Their energy was un-missable. Take their maroon robes away, dress them up in clothes for “young adults” and they could pass off as school children in a playground..
Except, that, they WERE in their maroon robes, attended the monk school in the monastery, studied ancient scriptures and would go on to live their lives devoid of all worldly possessions!
Read the full story of our visit to Phuktal monastery at Trek to Phuktal Monastery

It was break time at the monastery for these youngsters. Their energy was un-missable. Take their maroon robes away, dress them up in clothes for “young adults” and they could pass off as school children in a playground..
Except, that, they WERE in their maroon robes, attended the monk school in the monastery, studied ancient scriptures and would go on to live their lives devoid of all worldly possessions!
Read the full story of our visit to Phuktal monastery at Trek to Phuktal Monastery

Monks living in caves, Phuktal monastery, Zanskar, India

Zanskar is probably the most isolated valley in India and Phuktal is the remotest part of Zanskar. The Phuktal monastery is the epitome of monks living high up in the mountains, detached from the rest of the world. Read the full story of our visit to Phuktal monastery at Trek to Phuktal Monastery.

Phuktal monastery, the most remote monastery in Zanskar

After the long, breath taking (as well as breathless making) walk up at around 4200 meters in the Phuktal valley, the sight of the Phuktal monastery was, more than anything, relieving! Read the full story of our visit to Phuktal monastery at Trek to Phuktal Monastery

Visit to Phuktal monastery in Zanskar, India

Phuktal is the most remote monastery in the Zanskar valley. A compulsory walk of several hours leads to Phuktal. Their father had got them to visit the Phuktal monastery.

After the long, breath taking (as well as breathless making) walk up at around 4200 meters in the Phuktal valley, the sight of the Phuktal monastery was, more than anything, relieving! Read the full story of our visit to Phuktal monastery at Trek to Phuktal Monastery

First glimpse of Phuktal monastery, Zanskar, India

After the long, breath taking (as well as breathless making) walk up at around 4200 meters in the Phuktal valley, the sight of the Phuktal monastery was, more than anything, relieving! Read the full story of our visit to Phuktal monastery at Trek to Phuktal Monastery

After the long, breath taking (as well as breathless making) walk up at around 4200 meters in the Phuktal valley, the sight of the Phuktal monastery was, more than anything, relieving! Read the full story of our visit to Phuktal monastery at Trek to Phuktal Monastery

Trek to Phuktal monastery, Zanskar, India

Zanskar is probably the most isolated valley in India and Phuktal is the remotest part of Zanskar. This was the landscape en route Phuktal monastery. Read the full story of our visitto Phuktal monastery at Trek to Phuktal Monastery

Early morning in Cha en route Phuktal, Zanskar, India

While we prepared to leave our homestay in Cha early morning for the Phuktal monastery, this woman has already gathered her first basket of the day. Read full story on Trek to Phuktal Monastery

It's a tiny village. No shop. No school. Be prepared to have only locally grown vegetables. (And some home brewed alcohol). We stayed here overnight on our way to Phuktal monastery. Read full story on Trek to Phuktal Monastery

It's a tiny village. No shop. No school. Be prepared to have only locally grown vegetables. (And some home brewed alcohol). We stayed here overnight on our way to Phuktal monastery. Read full story on Trek to Phuktal Monastery

Chang, made from fermented barley is the most famous drink in Zanskar. Arhak is a distilled form of Chang. The family where we spent the night en route Phuktal monastery, had Arhak making scheduled for the day. That evening we had some fresh homemade Arhak post dinner! Read full story on Trek to Phuktal Monastery

The Phuktal monastery is the epitome of monks living high up in the mountains, detached from the rest of the world. This was the landscape en route Phuktal monastery. Read the full story of our visitto Phuktal monastery at Trek to Phuktal Monastery

Bridge at Purne en route Phuktal, Zanskar, India

The Phuktal monastery is the epitome of monks living high up in the mountains, detached from the rest of the world. This was the landscape en route Phuktal monastery. Read the full story of our visitto Phuktal monastery at Trek to Phuktal Monastery

Phuktal is the remotest part of Zanskar. The green fields are a rare sign of civilisation in the sparsely populated interiors of this Zanskar valley. This was the landscape en route Phuktal monastery. Read the full story of our visitto Phuktal monastery at Trek to Phuktal Monastery

Villages of Zanskar valley

This is a typical landscape in Zanskar - brown barren mountains of the Greater Himalayas, white stone houses and patches of fields around the villages being the only greenery. We crossed this village on our way to the Phuktal monastery. Read full stories on Trek to Phuktal Monastery

Cultivated grass is left to dry to be used as fodder for the cattle in the winter. By the month of August people start preparing themselves for the long and harsh winter that Padum as well as the rest of Zanskar valley faces.

Cultivated grass is left to dry to be used as fodder for the cattle in the winter. By the month of August people start preparing themselves for the long and harsh winter that Padum as well as the rest of Zanskar valley faces.

This board is bang opposite a petrol pump (gas station). A single hand cranked fuel dispenser is operated by a lone employee there. This petrol pump caters to the fueling needs of around 14000 people - the population of the entire Zanskar valley! Which makes this solitary pump the one and only means for the people of Zanskar to be connected to the world beyond their valley.

This young couple hosted us at their guest house called Mont Blanc in Padum, the headquarters of Zanskar valley. The guy was the elected representative of the people of Padum. He was mesmerised by Mont Blanc on his trip to France and decided to name his place after it.

Next to the main monastery in Karsha is an old 11th C. monastery called Chuchik Jal Lhakhang. It has many beautiful old paintings on its walls. The monastery is now not in use and they are trying to raise funds for its restoration and maintenance.

Next to the main monastery in Karsha is an old 11th C. monastery called Chuchik Jal Lhakhang. It has many beautiful old paintings on its walls. The monastery is now not in use and they are trying to raise funds for its restoration and maintenance.

Next to the main monastery in Karsha is an old 11th C. monastery called Chuchik Jal Lhakhang. It has many beautiful old paintings on its walls. The monastery is now not in use and they are trying to raise funds for its restoration and maintenance.

Next to the main monastery in Karsha is an old 11th C. monastery called Chuchik Jal Lhakhang. It has many beautiful old paintings on its walls. The monastery is now not in use and they are trying to raise funds for its restoration and maintenance.

Karsha has the biggest monastery in Zanskar. The village of Karsha is known as a model village. There is a school, a medical sub centre. Trees have been cultivated systematically and most people are into agriculture.